Method and apparatus for photoelectric sensing of permutated tape



Jan. 26, 1954 SLAYTQN 2,667,535

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOELECTRIC SENSING 0F PERMUTATED TAPE Filed Oct. 14. 1950 BATTERY FIG. 6

64 LINE INVENTOR RANSOM D. SLAYTON ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 26, 1954 'METHODFAND APPARATUS FOR PHOTO- :IELEGTR'IC. SENSING .OF. PERMUTATED TAPE Ransom D. Slayton, Elmhurst, Ill., --as'signor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation-of Delaware ApplicationOctober' 14, 1950, 'Serial'No; 190,110

I 14. Claims.

. This invention relates to a method and apparatusfor sensing permutatd tape and more particularly to apparatus and methods for sensing tape wherein the permutations consistof lidded apertures.

-In automatic telegraphy, tape controlled telegraph transmitting devices are employed in which code combinations in the form inf-perforations are placed transversely and successively on a continuous tape preform. A .set of sensing elements senses thetransverseareas. of the said tape to determine the presence or absence of perforations in each position of the. tape. and in accordance with 'the'fin'ding ofeach sensing element an associated electrical circuit is energized .to transmit codecombinations in accordance with the permutated perforations of the tape. In the present invention'the particulartype of tape used is that disclosed in 'Patent "No. 2,'273','909 to'ICI W; Swan dated February 24, l942, wherein there is disclosed a tape having pun'chd perforationsiin which each of the perforations has alid covering the perforation. An advantage of the use of this .type of tape may he readilyappreciated as the tape is suitable'for containing not onlyithe punched perforationsbut-also printed 'chara'cters positioned on top of the lidded apertures in the tape.

- Priordevices such as "disclosed in. Patent No.

1 ,326,148" to RS. Larson etJaL dated-August '10,

1943, utilized mechanicaltape sensing "fingers to sense the transverse ro'wsofliddd apertures in the tapeas .it is progressively. advancedthrough a tape sensing station.

"It isan ohject-o=this invention to. provide a more eflicient and. accurate method and apparatus for sensing the permutations. of lidded apertures in tape.

A further object of-this invention is to provide i a method andapparatus for sensing the permutationswith photoelectric cells.

- -A- stillfurther object -of this. invention. is to the light-passedlthroughithe. apertures in permut'ated tape to actuate a telegraph transmitter.

With'these and other objects. in view, the pres- .entinvention contemplates amethod of. advancing;. a vtape having series. or permut'atedhdded apertures through a sensing station. wherein the lids on the tape. are raised by. bendingthe tape or by projecting; a. blast iof .airagainst the tape. A light source positioned above or. .belowithe tape,

' plurality of feedpe'rforations 15 similar toi the mitter"distributor-- whereby the energi-zed.-ce1ls transmit impulses tothe transmitter which are picked up and sent-over an-outside signaling channel; to an outlying receiving station.

- Other obj ectsand-advantages of the present "invention will be apparent from the -following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the-accompanying drawing whereinz Fig. 1- is a perspectivewiew- -d-isclosinga tape passing through a sensing-stationhaving therein a'blower for raising the lids on permutatedtape.

Fig. 2 is anelevational view. showing the'sensing station and means for" advancing the :tape a step by step manner through the-sensing station.

"Fig. 3 discloses -a modified sensing station wherein the tape is advancedto bend the tapeso that the lidded apertures are-progressively raised, as the tape-advances.

Fig. 4 illustrates anothermodified form: of 'the invention wherein the tapeis illuminated bye/a light conducting rod.

Fig; 5 discloses another embodimentof the invention wherein the path of the tape is changed to raise the lidsat thesensing'station to permit light :to pass therethrough'and beconveyed-"to a photo-electric sensing means.

Fig. 6 discloses, a circuit diagram of -photo-'electric cells for sensing the permutations-in the tape and the control circuit for actuating a telegraph transmitter of the commutator brush type.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate the -sameelements throughout the several views and 'more particularly'to Fig: 1-, a permutated tape I 0-is disclosed having a series of transverse;permutations ll thereon. Each permutation-consists ofan aperture'i2 having a-liddedportion I 3 which normally coversthe aperture. Thus itQis-possible to have printed characters placed-ontopbf 'thelidded portions of-thetape aswell as on the solid portions of'the'tape. Thetape ID has a permutations I I :th'atis; the apertures are each covered with a lid.

' The tape I G is progressively advanced through a sensingstation 1! wherein the lids onthe-permutated. perforations are-raisedso that light from a lamplB passes=through=the apertures '42 andthrou'gh a series of photoricon'ductive-rods 7'19. The number of photo-conductive rodsil 91 is determined by the numberof longitudina'l'rowsof per- 3 mutations in the tape. Positioned adjacent to the other end of each of the rods i9 is a photoelectric cell 20 which may be of any type such as a photo-conductive cell, photo-voltaic cell, or photo-emissive cell. All that is necessary is that these cells be sensitive to light and be capable of varying the characteristics of an electrical circuit. The lids l3 of the permutations |2 may be raised by means of a blower 22 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The blower comprises a source of compressed air 23 which may be a fan or air compressor. The air passes from the source 23 through a conduit 24 through a manifold 25 and hence through a plurality of nozzles 25. These nozzles 26 are positioned in close proximity to the ends of the rods |9 and close to the path of the under side of the tape l0. Thus, as the tape it advances through the sensing station" l'l the blower 22 raises the lids l to permit light to pass through the apertures |2 and hence through the rods H! to actuate the photo-electric cells 20 in accordance with the permutations in the tape Referring to Fig. 2 there is shown apparatus for advancing the tape I through the sensing station I! in a step by step feed. This is accomplished by a feed wheel 30 having a plurality of pins 3| mounted about its peripheral surface. The feed wheel 3|! is mounted on a shaft 32 having also mounted thereon a ratchet 33. The ratchet 33 is advanced by means of a pawl 34 pivotally mounted to an armature 35. A spring 35 connected to the armature 35 and to a suitable portion of the frame of the apparatus normally urges the armature and pawl towards the left and into engagement with the ratchet 33. A magnet 3'! is provided for actuating the armature 35 to advance the feed wheel 3| in step by step increments. The circuit for actuating the magnet 37 may be traced from a ground 38, through conductor 39, magnet 3'7, conductor til, make-break contact 4|, battery 42, conductor 43 and hence to ground 44. The make-break contact 4| is actuated by a cam at which is mounted on a shaft 4? of a transmitter distributor. Hence, each time the cam 46 rotates one complete revolution, the contact 4| is closed to energize the relay 3? to advance the feed wheel 3i one increment and hence advance a new series of permutations on the tape Hi to the sensing station H.

In Fig. 3 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the tape ii] is advanced in step by step increments as disclosed in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 over a light transmitting guide rod and then past a semi-circular guide rod 50. A series of photo cells 20 identical with those disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 is positioned beneath the light transmitting guide rod 5|. The tape I0 is advanced past the guide rod 5| wherein its direction of travel is changed by approximately 45 and then over the guide rod 50 wherein the direction of travel of the tape is transferred back to its original direction. Upon the tape passing the guide rod 5| the lids I3 being hinged at a point which passes the 6 sensing station first tend to take the same direction as the tape |0 which changes its course of direction by about 45. Thus a gap 52 exists between the lids l3 and the tape Hi. Light from the lamp I8 is projected through the gap 52 onto the light transmitting guide rod 5| wherein the light is transmitted to actuate the respective photo-electric cells 20 in accordance with the permutations on the tape ID in the sensing station.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention. In this instance the tape I0 is advanced over a light conductor rod 53 to change the direction of advance to effectuate the raising of the lids l3. The tape N), then passes under a fixed guide rod 54 and the direction of advance again reverts back to the original direction. The light source H! is positioned in line with the end of rod 53. Light projected from the light source l8 passes longitudinally through the rod 53 and then transversely of the rod at points exposed by the raised lids |3. Light projected through the raised lids |3 is sensed by the photoelectric cells 20 in a manner identical with that explained in regard to the embodiments disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

In Fig. 5 there is illustrated still another embodiment of a method and apparatus for sensing the permutations in tape having lidded apertures. The tape I0 is advanced past a fixed guide rod 56 to change the direction of advance of the tape and thence over a second fixed guide rod 55 whereby the direction of feed of the tape reverts back to its original direction. Again as in the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 3 the lids H! at the sensing station 51 tend to raise away from the tape l6 and in so doing a gap 58 is formed between the lid I3 and the tape l0. Light from the lamp [8 identical with the lamp disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 is projected through the gap 58, through the aperture I2 and through a series of light conducting rods 59 similar to those disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 and finally is picked up by the photo cells 2|] identical with the cells disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

In Fig. 6 there is disclosed a start-stop transmitter distributor of the commutator brush type. The transmitter consists of a plurality of commutator segments 6|, which are connected through conductors 62 to the photo-electric cells 29. A solid commutator ring 63 is connected to an outside line 64 which in turn is connected to an outlying receiving station (not shown). A brush 65 connected to the constantly rotating shaft 4'! spans the commutator segment ti and ring 63. The photo cells 20are connected through conductors 51 to line battery and a stop segment 68 on the transmitter is connected through a conductor 69 to line battery. The transmitter is also provided with a start segment 10.

In operation of the transmitter, the photoelectric cells 20 are energized in accordance with the permutations of the lidded apertures in the sensing station. The lidded apertures being raised permit the transmission of light to energize the respective photo-electric cells whereby the energized photo-electric cells 20 connect line battery to their respective segments 6| of the transmitter. Thus, as the commutator brush 65 rotates, it contacts the segment H3 wherein a no current impulse or start signal is transmitted over the line 64. The brush then sequentially engages the segments 5| and if the photo-electric cells 20 connected to the particular segments are energizedLelectrical, current or marking impulses are transmitted from line battery through the energized photo-electric cell 29, over the respective conductor 62, through a segment 6 i, through the brush 65, through the commutator ring 63 and hence over line 6t to the outlying receiving station. If a particular photo-electric cell is not energized, the line battery will in eilect be disconnected from the segment 6| and a no current or spacing impulse .will be transmitted. The brush continues to rotate until it engages the .se ment'fit whereby ,a, steadyv on A transmitted oyerthelipe, 6 -1 lsignal for that particular set pulses o p nlfli.theiimlls t 9i. .nalhthe. Shaft 4] is rotated to ,in o po i i n to .v los t e r i e. magnet .31 nd henceto ad, n ce the .fe d wheel .0 o eo n i elltlw h ll-91 595} T 10 :r es permu ti ns. iehtqu ht .i station to initiateanotherseduence of'opat ns, ,1 It is .t beunderstood I a I me d d ar a em nt sim llustr tiv a. the anim ftfi br ,cipl sq th i t t nsild that o, I a fications may be made without departing from ez n nt onm 'What claimed oe l- A met d 1 f t e el r Permu a n ata e in idd t re t erein w i h ebmpr ee 'a el lie ar h hal ens a tat Qa[.-. e I th pe m ta ns nthai ee llZP PRQh HKQ ing the apertures formed by the raised lids,

g the lids on projecting light through said raised liddedpermutations, and then energizing a photo-electric e n ev w th hez rei t d i ht,

2. The method ofsen-sing the permutations in,

tape having lidded apertures "which comprises feeding the tape in a 'step-by-step manner through "a sensing station, "deflecting the tape ffrom the straight line feedwherebythe 'lids'- in the tape" tend to follow thep'ath' of the 'tapeas y it is deflected to completely expose the aperture beneath the lids, projecting light through the apertures exposed by the deflection of the tape, and then conveying the light to a photo-electric sensing means which is actuated in accordance with the permutations of the raised lidded apertures in the tape.

3. A method for sensing the permutations in tape wherein the permutations are in the form of aperture having hinged covers which comprises advancing the tape in a straight line, changing the direction of the path of movement of the tape to form an angle bend in the tape, projecting light against the tape at the point of the bend, said bending of the tape being sufficient to raise the hinged covers and completely expose the apertures therebeneath as they pass over the bend, and then conveying light passed through the apertures of the raised hinged covers of the tape from the vicinity of the tape to a photoelectric sensing means.

4. In an apparatus for detecting the permutations in apertured tape wherein the apertures are lidded, means for advancing the tape to a sensing station, means for raising the lids on the permutations while the tape is in the sensing station, said raising means providing no obstruction to the passage of light through the apertures formed by the raised lids, mean for projecting light through the apertures formed by the raised lids, and means for sensing the light passing through the tape.

5. In an apparatus for sensing the permutations in tape having lidded apertures, means for advancing the tape through a sensing station, a blower for projecting air against the tape as it passes through the sensing station to expose the apertures, a light source positioned in the sensing station for projecting light onto the tape, and photo-electric means positioned on the other side of the tape for sensing the permutations of light s sti itt'e' l ht.

,Stationffor 'p'ro'jectin ,a' 'i h o-el t r ,,.i 1a na e ror'i ensm a l ht 1 iai i an. se a t t it s f oiislint eha i id" ladvaii i eth t 'f at b light 'ra smit i llp l '35 7. In'an tetanus-ters tions in tape having 1 'd a advancing the tape and the tape, light "formed bythe' raised l in the sen's'i'ng'station' for engaging cause its direction of advance to change whereby the lids on the tape are progressively raised, a light source positioned within the sensing means for illuminating one side of the tape, and photoelectric sensing cells positioned on the other side of the tape for sensing the light transmitted through the apertured permutations of the raised lids in the tape and through the light transmitting rod.

9. In an apparatus for sensing the permutations in tape having lidded apertures, means for advancing the tape through a sensing station whereby direction of the movement of the tape entering and leaving the sensing station remains constant, a first means in the sensing station for engaging the tape to change the direction of movement, a second means also positioned within the sensing station for engaging the tape to change the direction of movement of the tape back to its original direction, said first direction changing means acting to progressively raise the lids of the permutations as the tape advances through the sensing station, a light source positioned on one side of the tape and adjacent to the location of said first direction changing means, a plurality of light conducting rods juxtapositioned on the other side of the tape in the immediate vicinity of the first direction changing means, and a plurality of photo-electric cells positioned at the other ends of the light conducting rods for sensing the light transmitted through the raised lids of the permutated tape.

10. In an apparatus for sensing the permutations in tape having lidded apertures, means for advancing the tape in a straight line to a sensing station, a light conductive rod located within the sensing station for engaging the tape to cause its direction of advance to change whereby the lids on the tape are progressively raised, a light source positioned within the sensing means for project- 7 ing light onto the light conductive rod to illuminate one side of the tape, and a series of photoelectric sensing cells positioned opposite to the light conductive rod on the other side of said tape for sensing light projected through the raised lids by the light conducting rod.

11. In an apparatus for energizing a telegraph transmitter, a sensing station for detecting the permutations in tape having lidded apertures, said sensing station including means to advance the tape, means to raise the lids on the tape as it passes through the sensing station without bstructing the apertures exposed by the raised lids, means to project light through the raised lids, photo-electric means for sensing the light projected through the raised lids, and means interconnecting the photo-electric means with the telegraph transmitter to energize the transmitter in accordance with the light passed through the permutations in the tape.

12. In an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures in an elongated message tape, each of said lidded apertures being arranged in a transverse and longitudinal row, means for advancing the tape in step by step increments to successively present transverse rows of permutated lidded apertures to a sensing station, said sensing station including an air compressing means, a manifold positioned on one side of the tape, means for conducting compressed air from the air compressing means to the manifold, a plurality of nozzles connected to the manifold for projecting and directing compressed air against the tape, each of said nozzles being positioned in alignment with one of the longitudinal rows of permutated lidded apertures, whereby the lids are progressively raised as the tape is moved through the sensing station, means for projecting light through the apertures having raised lids, and

means for photo-electrically sensing the light passed through the apertures.

13. In an apparatus for sensing an apertured preform wherein each aperture is provided with a lid, means for projecting light onto the preform, means for applying a force to the tape to raise the lids, said force applying means adapted to not interfere with the passage of light through substantially the complete apertures exposed by the raised lids, and means for sensing the light passed through the apertures having raised lids.

14. In an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures formed in a message tape, means for advancing the tape through a sensing station, means for projecting light onto the tape, means within the sensing station for subjecting the tape and lids to a pressure differential whereby the lids are raised to expose the apertures Without obstructing the passage of light through the exposed apertures, and means for sensing the light passed through the apertures having raised lids.

RANSOM D. SLAYTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Parker et al Aug. 14, 1945 

